The world-wide Mars Group built its first Australian manufacturing plant, Uncle Bens of Australia in Wodonga. From humble beginnings in a small house in Hovell Street Wodonga construction began in 1965 with production starting in March 1967. It was led by the vision of Dr Henry Nowik, a passionate believer in the need for decentralisation of Australian industry. The plant launched with a production run of 1,000 cans of pet food daily and an initial workforce of approximately 200 employees. By 1991, the site was producing 2 million cans of pet food daily. By its 30th anniversary in 1997, annual sales reached $700 million, with 30% consisting of exports. When the company celebrated its 30th year of production in 1997, it employed 530 people in manufacturing and 230 in support services and the national office. This DVD was created in 2007 to celebrate 40 years of the company it Wodonga. It looks back at people instrumental in the company's development over that period. 2007 was also a time of celebration with the opening of a new, more extensive manufacturing plant officially opened on 6th February 2007 by The Honourable John Brumby, Treasurer of Victoria and Linda Mars.This item is significant because it was to produce to record and celebrate 40 years of a major manufacturing industry in Wodonga.A DVD containing two short videos 1. "Reflections - 40 Years of Leadership and 2. "Celebrations - 40 Years of Success". It was produced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Mars Petcare in Wodonga in 2007. The DVD is accompanied by a letter from David Ansell, Vice President - Petcare at Wodonga.MARS PETCARE AUSTRALIA 40 Years 2007 Enhancing the MAGIC of pet ownershipmars petcare wodonga, uncle bens wodonga, manufacturing industries wodonga

A publication of 38 pages including coloured photographs, illustrations and text. non-fictionThe world-wide Mars Group built its first Australian manufacturing plant, Uncle Bens of Australia in Wodonga. From humble beginnings in a small house in Hovell Street Wodonga construction began in 1965 with production starting in March 1967. It was led by the vision of Dr Henry Nowik, a passionate believer in the need for decentralisation of Australian industry. The plant launched with a production run of 1,000 cans of pet food daily and an initial workforce of approximately 200 employees. By 1991, the site was producing 2 million cans of pet food daily. By its 30th anniversary in 1997, annual sales reached $700 million, with 30% consisting of exports. When the company celebrated its 30th year of production in 1997, it employed 530 people in manufacturing and 230 in support services and the national office. Now know as Mars Petcare Australia, the Wodonga plant has undergone a major expansion in 2025 to implement new production lines and advances in technology. This will enable it to become the first large-scale steam-based manufacturing site in Australia to deploy a 100% renewable energy solution for its operation. uncle bens wodonga, manufacturing industries wodonga